SHINee’s Taemin has once again proven his reign in the K-Pop industry with the latest ‘ETERNAL’ mini-album release.
Taemin made a comeback on 20th August with his latest mini-album said to embody a mix of diverse genres including hip-hop, electronic pop, and R&B vibes. The 7-track mini-album marks Taemin’s 5th album solidifying the icon’s status in the entertainment industry.
“Sexy in the Air” is one of the album’s most trending tracks showcasing Taemin’s articulate dancing moves. Taemin is scheduled to do his first solo world tour titled “Ephemeral Gaze” in late August and early September starting with Incheon Inspire Arena, Korea.
—-Karen Mwenda
#TAEMIN #SHINEETAEMIN #SHINEE #5thAlbum #SexyInTheAirTAEMIN #kcrush #kpop #kpopidol #newmusic #Tour #WorldTour #EphemeralGazeTaeminWorldTour #2024WorldTour #kcrushannouncement #kcrushamericamagazine #pop #TAEMINdancemoves #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #breakingnews
The legendary SF9 band made the highly anticipated comeback on 19th August with their 14th mini-album titled ‘FANTASY’.
SF9 debuted in October 2016 with the ‘Feeling Sensation’ single album under the FNC Entertainment agency. Being the agency’s first dance boy group, SF9 has soared high over the years to become a global sensation.
After Rowoon left the group in 2023 to focus on his acting career, Zuho followed suit and changed agencies to Haewadal Entertainment to pursue his acting dream. Dawon and Jaeyoon are still undertaking their mandatory military duties leaving Youngbin, Inseong, Yoo Taeyang, Hwiyoung, and Chani to run the show. The ‘FANTASY’ mini-album is a 5-track composition that has taken the internet by storm as SF9 fans rock the tunes to celebrate their beloved band’s comeback.
—-Karen Mwenda
#SF9 #FNCEntertainment #HaewadalEntertainment #Youngbin #Inseong #YooTaeyang #Hwiyoung #Chani #TheFANTASY #minialbum #kpop #kpopidol #kpopboygroup #Dawon #Jaeyoon #DontWooryBeHappy #kcrush #kcrushamericamagazine #newmusic #newalbum #14thminialbum
The Seoul Metropolitan Police confirmed on August 19th that BTS’s Suga is expected to appear for questioning this week.
Suga was involved in a scooter accident that later became a hot issue after several allegations including DUI and an unregistered scooter (if it indeed it was not an electric kickboard as claimed by Big Hit Music).
The Seoul Metropolitan Police also added that they are yet to set the exact date for Suga’s questioning. Additionally, the representative said that Suga’s questioning will follow the normal process, which gives an individual the option of not appearing in front of the press.
—-Karen Mwenda
#SUGA #BTSSGA #BTSSUGAsQuestioning #BIHHIT #kcrush #kpop #kpopidol #pop #kcrushamericamagazine
Life is unpredictable in oh so many ways, and no matter what plans we make for the path we want to take to our individual goals, hurdles and obstacles that are challenging to get over or around can be tricky and difficult. But more often than not, those obstacles and some deviations provide us with the experiences we need to complete our goals even if we don’t see it at first.
For veteran Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, having over twenty years of experience in front of the camera playing a multitude of characters in practically every film genre, stepping behind the camera to direct various projects for commercials and music videos, and as a producer for his studio Artist Company — co-founded with Lee Jung-jae — prepared him to accept the challenge of directing his first feature as well as playing the lead for the action film A Man of Reason.
The film, which had its international premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Was written by Jung Hae-shin, A Man of Reason 보호자, is about a man Su-hyuk who thinking that after serving ten years in prison for his life would be different to the one he lead before. A life of extreme violence dictated by a ruthless crime boss who sees the men who work for him as a means to achieve his personal goals of vast wealth and a higher social status. Upon his release, So-hyuk is but a short distance on his path to a new beginning when it becomes evident that he’s going to have to step back into his old life to fully escape it.
In doing so he encounters many people who seek to prevent his escape.
In my interview with Jung Woo-sung he speaks about taking on the challenge of directing his first feature film, using color in the costuming as a reference to where Su-hyuk is in his life and his connection to his loved ones, and working with actors Kim Jun-han and Kim Nam-gil who played the film’s villains and Su-hyuk’s deadly and unpredictable obstacles.
Note: This interview was conducted via email. All references to the film title of “A Man of Reason” will be stated as “The Guardian” as it is the English translation of the official Korean title 보호자.
What was it about A Man of Reason and working with writer Jung Hae-shin that drew you to the story to not only direct it but to also take on the extra challenge of playing the lead character Su-hyuk?
First, before answering, I would like to thank the reporter for her in-depth questions with a deep understanding and interpretation of the film. Thank you.
For The Guardian, I didn’t participate in the creative process during the writing stage at first. Producer Song Dae-chan asked me to participate as an actor in the completed screenplay, which I accepted, and then the writer Jung Hae-shin, who was originally planning to direct the film, had to withdraw from the project due to personal issues, which led to the proposal that I should direct the film.
In fact, I had never met the writer, and my job was to adapt this clichéd scenario while keeping the personality that the writer wanted to put into it, and to change or add things from my point of view as a director. I had already tried my hand at directing music videos, short films, and brand films, and I had my heart set on directing a feature, but I never imagined that my first film would be The Guardian.
I‘ve always thought that directing should be faithful to the original idea of a script, but the clichéd scenario of The Guardian, was a different challenge. It seemed to me that many action movies were made similarly, having been based on the scenes of successful action movies that had already been completed and used as references for scene composition. So, it was like a homework assignment.
I felt like I was being asked the question, “Okay, this is a typical scenario, how are you going to make it?”
It’s a different challenge from participating only as an actor, as on top of that, it was a head-to-head challenge in a situation whereI wasn’t involved in the planning and writing process. I’m not usually one to shy away from challenges that come my way, so I think I responded without fear.
To get into the film itself now for a bit, I want to ask about the costume choices for Su-hyuk and his ex-girlfriend Min-seo played by Lee Elijah. In the opening sequence we see Su-hyuk walking into the deserted quarry wearing a forest green bomber jacket and black clothing beneath, echoing the green that inmates wear in Korean prisons, and when we first see Min-seo during her conversation with him, she’s also wearing shades of green. The dark green top and a mint green coat.
Because of this, I wondered if perhaps you and the costume designer spoke about Min-seo’s clothing reflecting how she was impacted by Su-hyuk’s ten-year absence. That while she was free, her life in some sense was placed on hold with him
There’s an old Korean saying, “It’s better to understand than to dream.”, and I think that’s exactly what your interpretation is here.
It was definitely the wardrobe director’s intention to connect the two characters’ similarities through color. It was a coincidence that the prison uniforms were in a similar color family, and I think that coincidence created a very clever meaning.
In fact, I find this coincidence interesting. Some ‘meanings’ have been intentionally created and presented, but they’re also created by the different perspectives and understandings of the people who receive them. They’re also created very ‘accidentally’ by some impulse, so sometimes I’m worried and cautious, “Will a meaning I don’t like be created by accident and conveyed?”, but it’s a wonderful experience to have these wonderful coincidental meanings come back in the question.
I imagined that Min-seo’s time began to come back to life when she reunited with Su-hyuk, and that her life was sustained and saved by her daughter, In-bi (Ryu Ji-an), whose presence served as her own mother’s guardian. That’s why I included the line “She made me an adult. A mother.” to Min-seo’s lines.
Of course, Min-seo is a strong person. She must have tried to protect and raise her child with pride by herself. However, she must have been exhausted and lonely whenever she endured and dealt with every little practical difficulty. Without Su-hyuk, Min-seo’s time in that loneliness must have been dark, and in some ways, she cut herself off from the world. In that sense, the color identity of Su-hyuk and Min-seo was a great job by the costume director.
As a character, Su-hyuk is very determined. He’s stoic, and from the action sequences, he’s very violent when he needs to be, but he’s also very caring towards those he genuinely cares for as seen in the scene with his friend Joon-ho played by Kim Joo-hun.
As the actor, how did you work out how you wanted to play these different sides to him, and was your process influenced by the way you wanted to direct the film, or did you let the way you wanted to play him inform your directing style for him?
It’s an interesting question. Well…I guess you could say it was a two-way influence, or maybe the way I wanted to act influenced the way I directed, because obviously when I was designing the character, I approached him as an actor first and envisioned that.
But as a director, I was thinking about what Su-hyuk’s will and what that would look like and how to capture it in him as a character.
It was a directorial choice to capture the level of violence that a man who has renounced violence has to again resort to that when a violent situation unfolds.
In particular, in the overseas festival version of the film, the scene on the 13th floor of the hotel and the final confrontation with Eun-guk were directed with the idea that Su-hyuk must completely renounce violence. Because only then can he become an upright protector of In-bi and her future.
In talking about characterization, I’m intrigued by Sung-joon and Woo-jin who I think are both perfectly and very interestingly performed by Kim Jun-han and Kim Nam-gil. These two characters are intriguing to me because they’re both villains and antagonists of Su-hyuk but in very different ways because of their individual motivations and the performance styles of both actors.
Kim Jun-han played Sung-joon as someone who is very needy of approval of his gang boss turned CEO, Eung-kook (Park Sung-woong), the other subordinates, and I think also Su-hyuk. It’s clear the envy and hate are there, but so is the desperate hope of being seen as just as important and as impressive. It’s all of these things, his insecurities that make him just as unpredictable and dangerous as Woo-jin.
Talk about working with Kim Jun-han, and perhaps writer Jung Hae-shin on how you wanted this character to come to life.
The character of Sung-joon is the person I changed the most in the adaptation of the script. In fact, the events of The Guardian began with Sung-joon’s own anxiety to be recognized – “The ace of my former organization is back!” is where the anxiety begins with his interactions with Eung-kook.
I think it’s all about creating situations out of individual feelings, and sometimes those feelings start with very trivial and ridiculous things.
Jun-han had worked with me in one of my previous productions, and although we didn’t have any scenes together, I was impressed with his performance in the scenes he was in, so when I started working on the adaptation, I wanted to use him as a reference for Sung-joon. I thought it would be interesting to see how his delicate performance would play out when he encounters certain feelings of anxiety. He was very receptive to the idea, and we had a lot of fun working together.
I think that’s something I learned while preparing for the film, because he’s an actor who usually comes to the set with a lot of preparation, and I think I shook him up with improvisational demands on set, and I think that was an important part of creating Sung-joon. I wanted him to be a character who has some kind of anxiety that we could sympathize with. I wanted Sung-joon to be a character who, even though he’s a villain, could receive compassion because of that vulnerable psychological expression.
Just as Sung-joon has all of these complex layers to him, so too does Woo-jin. He has the same unpredictably dangerous nature and is also impressed by Su-hyuk even if he hates having to admit it. But unlike Sung-joon, Woo-jin behaves more like a willful teenager, almost to the point of being annoying. This makes him dangerous because he becomes violent out of spite and takes glee in it.
Discuss what the process was with Kim Nam-gil to figure out how to balance the tone of this character because he had to be careful not to veer too close to being the wrong side of comical in a way that wouldn’t work with the overall tone of the film.
Actor Kim Nam-gil usually approaches me as a very cute boy. When he received the actual script, the first thing he said to me was, “I’m going to do it like I’m doing it in front of my brother, right?” After that, I was careful not to show any calculated breathing in the scene.
Woo-jin is someone who is stuck in the past, and in that boyishness, I wanted to point out how trivialized violence is in the modern world and how modern society consumes violence as entertainment through games or the news.
There must have been some event that made Woo-jin unhappy, and since he is directly or indirectly connected to that event, he tries to escape from the memory of it but can’t, so he is stuck in that time. Then he meets Su-hyuk, who has an unknown darkness to him, and Woo-jin observes and becomes intrigued by him, and finally confesses to him about his past events as if in a confessional. I wrote the dialogue for that scene with the idea that the sincerity of the confession could balance the ridiculousness of Woo-jin’s character with a heavy weight.
Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank actor Kim Nam-gil for his exquisite portrayal of the character’s emotions, which is not easy to do.
While A Man of Reason is what I would call a very straightforward action film with a plot that’s easy to follow, I think there are particular scenes that show not only the different sides to the characters, but I think also Korean society and where it is now economically.
There’s a scene at the end of the 2nd act where Eung-kook is looking out the window of his office in the high rise and in the distance all that can be seen are the bright lights of the city. The homes, offices, and high rises just like the one Eung-kook is building and hoping to have become a veritable gold mine.
In the distance hovering over the city is a giant blimp announcing the grand opening of this skyscraper, and it reminded me of a particular scene in one of my favorite films Children of Men by Alfonso Cuarón, that references to how powerful men in their skyscrapers, modern day castles, looking down on the people below them figuratively and metaphorically with disdain, even though it was those same people who built the castles for them to look down from.
People who pursue profit alone are oblivious to the violence they’re doing to others, so when Eung-kook says to Woo-jin, “Do what you’re told, don’t think about it,” he’s saying that even though Woo-jin is next to him in the same castle, wearing the best fabrics, you can’t hide who you are. He can’t shake the underlying anxiety about his own existence.
Telling humans not to think is like telling them to exist as part of themselves, not as a whole individual, and in the end, the man who said it is himself is trapped in a dangerous castle where he is losing his personality.
Perhaps I read too much into that scene with Eung-kook, but I read it as you and writer Jung Hae-shin making room in the film for social commentary on capitalism and classism. Was I right? And if so, could you speak on how using action films work as a way to discuss those themes without making it explicitly obvious to the audience?
This scene was also added in the adaptation. The desire for power and material things should be different from our animalistic desires. It should be rationalized and approached with mature thinking. However, in real life, the desire is so primal that it’s not much different from a male’s desire to please only themselves, so we created the scene where Woo-jin is introduced.
This is a totally nerdy question, but I have to ask. After Min-seo and Su-hyuk’s car is struck, she’s seen lying unconscious in the passenger seat. As the camera holds on her there’s a slight delay before the blood begins to flow from her head, as though giving the audience and Su-hyuk hope that the worst possible scenario hasn’t occurred.
I wanted to know if the delay in the bleeding was specifically timed to give that sense of false hope, and how did you and the director of the makeup department determine how many seconds were the right amount for that moment of suspense.
That’s a very good question. That moment is the magnitude of the guilt that Su-hyuk is throwing at him. It’s a moment that no one wanted, not Woo-jin, not Jin-ah, not even Sung-joon, the man who commissioned the job. But it happens, and Su-hyuk is the only one who has to deal with the guilt of it. It’s a very long moment that can feel like a lifetime for Su-hyuk. The length of that moment was determined by the editing.
How much fun was it for you to work out those smaller details like the costuming, and scenes like Sung-joon holding the head of the statue in his hands – which I thought was a rather poetic reference to how monarchs and oligarchs were punished for mistreating citizens and using the flashlight during the first major fight sequence. I thought it was a great way to make the fight dynamic and convey just how skilled and efficient Su-hyuk was.
I am truly happy and grateful that you took it as a poetic metaphor. I wanted to depict a response that uses both physical and psychological means of violence in a way that seems intuitive, a satirical look at how the violence inflicted by humans who have become desensitized to it can be so horrific that it makes the person on the receiving end look ridiculous.
The flashlight action was shot after the main shoot was over. We wanted to quickly establish the location and time to show how used to violence Su-hyuk was in the past, and then realized that he needed to have a light in his hand to fight the darkness as a weapon. The result was a very effective scene that we were very happy with.
Since 2023 with A Man of Reason you’ve had a couple projects released. 12.12: The Day and Tell Me That You Love Me. Can you tell me how having the experience of directing has made you appreciate your own work as an actor, and how it may have changed how you see not only directing but the responsibilities of all the heads of departments and the dozens of people working on film sets, too?
I’m a very lucky person. I was very lucky to fulfill my dream of becoming an actor, and when I went to my first set, everything was new to me. From then on, whether I had a part or not, I would often stay on set and observe the work of the crew around me, and that’s how I got used to working in movies and dreamed of directing.
The field is the place that teaches me everything and I know that the work of every department is very important to complete the movie.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Click here to watch my interview with producer Song Dae-chan of STUDIO Take.
— Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
A Man of Reason 보호자 is now available on DVD, VOD, and On Demand, and is distributed by Epic Pictures.
#KCrush #AManofReason #TheGuardian #TheProtector #JungWooSung #KimNamGil #KimJu-Han #KoreanFilm #보호자 #정우성감독 #김남길 #박성웅 #김준한 #박유나 #블루레이 #KoreanCinema #StudioTake #TIFF2023 #ActionFilm #KoreanDirector #ActionDramas #EpicPictures #EpicpicturesGroup
World renowned Japanese director and animator Tatsuya Ishiwaki, and Aniplex producer Tatsuya Oishi, joined film critic and journalist Carolyn Hinds to chat about their world famous animated film ‘KIZUMONOGATARI – Koyomi Vamp’, which had its international theatrical premiere at the 2024 Fantasia Fest International Film Festival, in Montreal, Canada.
Based on the famous manga series MONOGATARI created and written by Nisioisn, and drawn by Shaft, ‘KIZUMONOGATARI -Koyomi Vamp’ is a revamped version of of the three part film series originally released in 2016. In their interview the filmmaker and producer spoke about how the story’s protagonist’s Koyomi Araragi beliefs about his own ethics and morals are challenged by the dying 500-year-old vampire Kiss-Shot.
‘KIZUMONOGATARI -Koyomi Vamp’ screened in the Animation Plus Section at Fantasia Fest, and will be available in North American theatres August 28th,2024.
#KCrush #FantasiaFest #JapaneseCinema #Anime #AnimeFilm #AsianCinema #Manga #Crunchyroll
Some of B.A.P is back!! Debuting as a boy band in 2012, four out of six members are back and ready to show the world their music talents once again. After a six-year dry spell, fans wondered if a return would ever happen. But now they’ve debuted a release under the new name BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON, which correlates with the four members.
There’s a YouTube documentary series titled, “Man on the Moon” which showcases how the group has prepared for this comeback. It provides great insight into where the members are now and all that they’ve put into this project.
For those unfamiliar with B.A.P, they quickly took off–only a year after their debut in 2012, they had a world tour! Their amazing choreography and catchy tunes propelled them into global stardom. They won plenty of awards, both domestically in Korea and internationally in countries like Germany.
The downfall of the group started to happen in 2014, as they filed a lawsuit against their label, TS Entertainment. It wasn’t until later in 2017 that they released another single. Sadly, the momentum had died a bit by this time, and they failed to reach the peak that they had achieved years prior. They officially disbanded in 2019, after failing to renew their contracts.
But now fans can once again enjoy some of the musical talent from B.A.P. Below is my quick review of their newly released EP, CURTAIN CALL.
Love: 8/10
“Love” is a bright track, showcasing the group’s vocal abilities and great rap. With a bold, memorable melody, fans won’t be disappointed. The song is hopeful and touching, expressing emotions of love and adoration.
Farewell: 9/10
What struck me most about “Farewell” was the production. It’s unpredictable, in a good way. This track could have been just a throwaway fast song to help break up the album, but it retains high quality. I love how “Farewell” isn’t a sad song like the title might lead you to believe. It sounds like something you’d hear in a video game or to open a fun-loving anime series. I’m all about it! The theme of the lyrics is saying farewell to your past so you can start fresh. A very appropriate song considering the group’s history!
Gone: 8/10
At this point in the album, some B.A.P fans might feel the shift between who the members were musically and who they are now. B.A.P was known for hardhitting, big energetic songs. “Gone” shows a more emotive, deeper side. I personally really liked it! This song still has plenty of movement and brings something fresh to the table. The lyrics are also notable as well. Check out the chorus:
Our love is not over
Although we aren’t closer
It still doesn’t change that we loved each other
My love is not over
No need to be sad
It’s okay to say goodbye, you’re not alone
Stand it all: 9/10
“Stand it all” is a true ballad. The piano delicately accompanies the beautiful vocals of the group. I love a good stripped down track, and “Stand it all” does that well. I can easily see this in a K-Drama. The vocalists really hit on being tender, whilst simultaneously displaying true strength in their performance. It’s emotional, it’s powerful, it’s all you want in a memorable ballad.
Way Back: 8/10
“Way Back” has a great overall vibe to it, and it definitely closes off the album in a sentimental way. The lyrics nod to the fact that they’ve been away for so long, but they want a way back into their fan’s hearts (as if they ever left!). They’re willing to wait for the fans, like the fans waited for their return. It’s heartfelt and sweet, and sure to win back any hearts lost.
FINAL: 8.5/10
BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON didn’t come to play! They’re here to prove that they have what it takes to not only come back, but stay. They proved their musical abilities and their sincerity. I’m wishing this group the best!
—-Ellie Boyd
#BAP #BAPareback #GONEbyBAP #MAEntertainment #kcrush #BangYungYooMoon #Zelo #comeback #2024 #BABYZ #kcrushalbumreview #albumreview #kpop #kpopalbumreview #BAPreturn #fansofBAP #kidol #kfashion #newkpopmusic #newmusic #BAPreview #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamericamagazine #welcomebackBAP #비에이피 #BestAbsolutePerfect #BangYungYooMoonofBAP #BestAbsolutePerfectBAP #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #knews #kcrushreview #kcrushupdatingyou
Readers, get comfy and let’s revisit the Seoul International Wine & Spirits Exhibition (SIWS)! We’re still reeling from the excitement of the annual event held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea, since 1992. The 2024 edition featured over 240 exhibitors and attracted tens of dozens of buyers and thousands of attendees from various countries. This three-day event included seminars, countless samples, and engaging exhibits, highlighting significant trends and innovations in wines and beers. The diverse, multilingual atmosphere made it a dynamic and educational experience for all participants. You can read more about my friend and colleague’s CoolHappyTash’s experience with the beverage spirits and settle in with me over wines and beers.
Freshly minted as a Level 1 Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) awardee, this experience was a celebration of unbelievable scale. I mean this both figuratively and literally, as I cannot put into simple words how massive this event was. Hall A, where the event took place, measures well over 30 feet (10.368㎡) in length. I’d been within the hall for Seoul Comic Con 2018 but that event was nothing in size compared to this! For as far as the eye could see, there were drinks and exhibit stands, and merchandise and enthusiastic consumers. I was in heaven in one of my most favorite places in the world.
Credit: COEX Center
Before the first day of the event, however, I went on a mission to find South Korean wines “in the wild.” I’m familiar with soju, baekseju, makegeolli, and other beverages from the country but I was looking for something more along the lines of a bottle I’d get from somewhere like Total Wine & More. With my husband in tow, we found a wine shop at Lotte World Tower and marveled at the collection but there wasn’t a specific South Korean wine. According to some research within the industry, grape-based wine in South Korea is experiencing a growth spurt. Perhaps there would be some options at the Expo?
When we made it through check-in and entered the event, conversations engulfed us. The predominant languages spoken were Korean and English, but we experienced distributors, buyers, and general consumers expressing themselves in Japanese, Mandarin, Lithuanian, and even Georgian. South Korea is a special place for many people, and one I call a second home in my heart, but after all my time living and visiting there, this was the first time I was surrounded by such a diverse group of communicators. This surpassed past KCONs, where most of us non-native Korean language speakers were able to get by with K-drama lines and K-pop lyrics; and definitely gave me more than occasional interactions with other non-Koreans who had lived in the country long enough to communicate well when I was living there. If this is what the collegiate experience is like in Seoul, then I truly missed out with being a remote learner at Yonsei!
“Alright, it’s time to get to work. Let’s go to this wi– oh, there’s Tiger Beer over there!” My husband shook his head and grinned as I darted through the crowds to get to the Singaporean brand’s huge booth. It was adjacent to Heineken Asia Pacific, its current producer, and is revered as Singapore’s first beer.
Tiger Beer, and several others, were spotlighting their radler selections. Although the name of this type of beverage changes in various countries, this type of beer is traditionally mixed with a lemon-flavored beverage. Tiger Beer had the traditional style, as well as a grapefruit option. The radler, and overall beer experience however, that blew me away was from Lithuania.
A friendly welcome and generous pour from the Gubernija team was provided of each of their selections and I was in love. The flavors were robust and smooth. My husband especially liked their radlers and I was eager to bring their pilsner home! Unfortunately, the beer isn’t widely available in North America, but I’ll never forget learning that theirs is one of the oldest businesses in the world, having been founded in 1665.
Gubernija has English on one side of their cans and their native language on the other. I was very impressed by this and it made me realize that I don’t know how often I see things with more than one language on them because I can understand more than one. Had my mind fully blocked out that soju bottles are predominantly in English and Korean because I can read Hangul? Or what about the Mexican beer Dos Equis and the obvious Spanish that’s on the bottle? It’s amazing what the mind can do and how it can trick a person into being shocked by something they regularly see. Perhaps it was Gubernija choosing two different double-sided designs that made this stand out so much to me. Whatever it was, I’m still impressed!
We explored wines and beers from several other countries, including Spain, Greece, Georgia, and countless distributors.
There was even a booth with traditional South Korean rice wine that was wonderfully flavored. The bottles were tall and slender, displaying the distilled wine in vodka-clear to a tinted yellow. On my next long visit, I hope to find many of these options again. Some simply aren’t worth the struggle of shipping overseas!
The most unexpected thing in this world of wine, however, was the afternoon of the final day of the expo, as my husband and I made it to the DMZ and saw North Korean wine. Their wines have a higher alcohol level content (ALC) percentage than everything I came across in South Korea, so I was very shocked by this. I did not purchase nor consume any of it, but definitely took pictures to learn more. Since wine can be made from grapes, other fruits, and even flowers, I found it interesting that theirs is more focused on other-fruits than grapes. I won’t speculate about why, but this creates differences in the color and mouth feel of their wines.
This expo is one I highly recommend for fans of this side of the food and beverage industry. I learned so much and know to be more prepared with deeper questions if I ever attend again. I especially thank Kcrush for the opportunity to cover the event and reflect on the experience after hurricane Beryl impacted my area of the United States. Soon, I’ll have more to share with you about wine and my other love – K-pop. Please anticipate!
Ashley Griffin-Borjon, Host & Historian
Ashley is a content creator, educator, and public speaker. As an authority on the Hallyu phenomenon, she has collaborated on projects and events with various domestic and international companies and brands as a music historian. As the host of An Album a Day, she leads an English-language podcast promoting commentary on South Korean pop music. Learn more about her at https://meetashley.carrd.co/
#SeoulInternationalWinesandSpiritExpo2024 #kcrush #CoexExhibitionCentre #soju #makgeollis #Seoul #GangnamSeoul #kcrushexclusive #kcrushamericamagazine #JegalryangKorea #Starfield Library #tour #thingstodoinSeoul #TigerBeer #whattodoinSeoul #SouthKorea #WineandSpiritTrust #NorthKoreanWine #Vlees #snacks #Chinesespirits #JegalRyangKoreaCoLtd #PioraCoffeeandCake #Cmakgeolli #KoriKoreanHerbalGin #Kkumbrewery #Korean #KoreanCulture #MyeonginAndongSoju #Koreandrinks #Koreanwineandspirits #whattodrinkwhileinKorea #travel #traveltoKorea #funplacesinKorea #kspirits #kbeer #kwine #kexpo #koreanexpo #Koreanexhibition2024 #Sul #KoreaInternationalExhibitionCoLtd #KIECO #ajumma #koreansightseeing #a3daypodcast #koreanfoodandbeverage #SippingThroughSeoul #sippingThroughSeoulSIWSWinesandBeers
Japanese boyband LIL LEAGUE have released ‘Youth Spark’, the lead track from their July 31 third single, on digital platforms. The song is accompanied by a music video.
‘Youth Spark’ is a thrilling dance track released during the last summer in which all members of LIL LEAGUE will still be in their teens. The track has a funk base, and just as the title suggests, the members’ passionate vocals are cut through with the spark of youth.
The music video is set in a fictional city based loosely on the United States, showing a cinematic take on the irreplaceable time spent together with precious friends. The group members use props from the 1980s and ’90s to enhance their fun performance.
In the final scene, which takes place at night, the stage is lit up with neon, representing how the group’s performances can brighten any darkness.
Released earlier this year, LIL LEAGUE’s first album ‘TRICKSTER’ went to No.1 on Japan’s Oricon Weekly Chart. This was in the wake of the group’s meteoric rise – around six months after their debut in January 2023, they held their first headline hall tour of Japan, before winning the Best New Artist Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards. After a busy debut year, LIL LEAGUE continue to embody their unique vision. Don’t miss this incredible boyband!
LIL LEAGUE
❏ LIL LEAGUE MEMBERS
Sena Iwaki (19)
Tatsuhiro Nakamura (19)
Kodai Yamada (18)
Matora Okao (16)
Haima Momoda (16)
Sora Nanba (15)
❏ RELEASE INFORMATION
LIL LEAGUE ‘Youth Spark’
Released July 31, 2024
Physical edition details (Japanese):
https://lilleague.jp/news/detail.php?id=1116433
Download and streaming links:
https://lilleague.lnk.to/YouthSpark
Music video:
❏ EVENT INFORMATION
NEO EXILE SPECIAL LIVE 2024
https://lil.exfamily.jp/s/ldh09/news/detail/10578
❏ LIL LEAGUE official links:
#LILLEAGUE #YouthSpark #newrelease #kcrush #NeoExileSpecialLive2024 #JPop #pop #newsingle #kcrushamericamagazine #kcrushamerica #breakingnews #JapaneseBoyGroup #JIdols #JNews
Pre-Sale began August 1 and General On-Sale begins August 2 at krazysuperconcert.com
Pulse Events, the company known for bringing global music events to New York, today announces the full artist lineup for ‘Krazy Super Concert’ to be held September 14 and 15, at Long Beach Arena. Previously announced acts aespa, CL, ZEROBASEONE will take the stage along with newly confirmed acts DK from hit boy group iKON, SUNMI, BamBam, LAY ZHANG, Kim JongKook (Running Man), KATSEYE, and AKMU. Girl group aespa and boy group ZEROBASEONE are set to perform both days. Additionally, rising force in hip-hop and GRAMMY-nominated artist, The Kid LAROI will round out the predominantly K-pop lineup.
General admission tickets and VIP Packages will be available through pre-sale on Thursday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time via krazysuperconcert.com and public on-sale Friday, August 2, at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster.
“I’m thrilled for Krazy Super Concert series to be a staple in the Southern California music community. We can’t wait to celebrate with the incredible artist lineup and all the fans,” said Luffy Huang, CEO of Pulse Events.
Bi-coastal events team, Pulse Events take their expertise to the world of K-Pop to deliver the first ever ‘Krazy Super Concert Series’ as event producer in Los Angeles after putting on the inaugural event in New York in 2023 with MONSTA X’s SHOWNU and HYUNGWON, IVE, AB6IX, Cravity and Kwon Eun Bi. Known for their extravagant EDM-based events featuring artists KSHMR, Yellow Claw, JVNA along with their work with huge names such as EXO and BIGBANG, their mission is to be pioneers of culture and media. This ongoing concert series will be the ultimate K-Pop experience that features the most popular artists, the most trendy music, authentic culture, and unparalleled fan engagement.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
CL, a K-Pop pioneer, has carved out a remarkable career defined by innovation and bold creativity, while aespa has swiftly risen as a groundbreaking force in the K-pop landscape, captivating audiences with their innovative approach to music and storytelling. BamBam has solidified his presence as a versatile artist in the global music scene, originally gaining fame as a member of the acclaimed K-pop group GOT7. With one of the most exciting debuts in the last year, K-pop rookie group ZEROBASEONE has become a significant force, bursting onto the scene with their high-energy and groundbreaking streaming numbers when they debuted after their strong popularity on the hit TV survival show, MNET’s “Boys Planet.”
SUNMI is a prominent figure in the K-pop scene, celebrated for her distinct musical style and compelling stage presence. LAY ZHANG has established himself as a multifaceted artist with a global impact who rose to prominence as a member of the iconic group, EXO. Budding Australian artist, The Kid LAROI, is known for his lyrics that resonate with younger audiences, blending aspects of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic genres. Kim JongKook, from the well-loved Korean variety show Running Man, is a renowned entertainer known for his iconic hit songs and charismatic presence on both screen and stage.
KATSEYE will release its debut EP, SIS (Soft Is Strong), on August 16 via HYBE x Geffen Records, available for pre-order here. The Netflix docuseries “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE,” which premieres on August 21, follows the year-long process of creating this one-of-a-kind global girl group formed using KPOP artist development methodologies. DK is a South Korean singer and dancer known for his powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence as a member of the K-pop group iKON. Since their debut in 2015 under YG Entertainment, DK has contributed significantly to the group’s success, helping them achieve multiple chart-topping hits and international tours. AKMU is one of the most dynamic sibling duos in the music industry who have released three studio albums, one live album, three extended plays, and four single albums.
About Pulse Events
Based in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York City, Pulse Events is a proficient Event Producer and Promoter. The company has become an expert on the Asian-American electronic music market, specializing in concerts and live performances across North America and beyond. With a mission to be the pioneer of culture and media innovation, Pulse Events produces, manages, and promotes high-quality IP products for global audiences. These include music concerts, live performances, EDM events, night entertainment, and web3 metaverse events. Since its establishment in 2015, Pulse Events has participated in the production and hosting of world tours of many top South Korean artists. Within these artists include EXO, BIGBANG, T-ARA, Running Man, etc. To date, Pulse Events has hosted over 70 industry-leading electronic music artists such as Martin Garrix, SLANDER, Afrojack, Gryffin, KSHMR, Kill The Noise, Like Mike, Seven Lions, Vini Vici, Yellow Claw, and more.
About Krazy Super Concert
Krazy Super Concert is a premier music festival renowned for celebrating artists from the Asian diaspora, based in both continental Asia and the western market. Established in 2023, the festival is dedicated to bringing Asian music to a global audience through vibrant and high-energy performances. Specializing in top acts and emerging talent, Krazy Super Concert creates unforgettable experiences that showcase the dynamic world of Asian music and is designed to connect artists with fans worldwide. For more information, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
About Long Beach Arena
Located in downtown Long Beach, California, the Long Beach Arena stands as a premier entertainment venue in the region. Known for its iconic “floating” roof design, the arena offers a dynamic setting for a variety of events, from electrifying concerts to thrilling sporting events. With a seating capacity of 13,500, the Long Beach Arena provides an intimate yet expansive atmosphere, perfect for both performers and fans alike. Over the years, it has hosted a diverse array of events, featuring legendary artists such as Elton John, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay, as well as exciting sporting events and conventions. Whether it’s music, sports, or cultural gatherings, the Long Beach Arena continues to captivate audiences with its unique charm and world-class amenities.
#KRAZYSuperConcert #CL #aespa #AKMU #KATSEYE #BAMBAM #kcrush #hallyu #kpop #kindie #krnb #DK #ZEROBASEONE #kcrushamericamagazine #breakingnewskcrush #kcrushannouncement #knews #KimJongKookMC #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #koreanconcertintheUS #Septemberkpopconcert #LAYZHANG #2024kpopconcert #kfashion #kmusic #kpopfan #koreanhallyu #LongBeachArena #LongBeach #California #September14and15 #SUNMI #kpopnewsflash #kcrushmagazine #PulseEvents #PopStarAcademy #debutalbumKATSEYE #HYBE #Koreanhiphop #RunningMan #BoyPlanet
LEX and LANA, a charismatic brother and sister pairing from Japan who are leading a new generation of hip-hop artists, have released a new collaboration song today, titled ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’.
Following the success of ‘AKARUIHEYA’, which stole the attention of the hip-hop scene when it was released earlier this year, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ is the second collaboration song from this commanding brother-sister duo. While ‘AKARUIHEYA’ spoke of evolving from a dark past to lead a bright future, this new song takes in the universal themes of communication typical of LEX and LANA, such as misunderstandings and reconciliation, set to the evocative motif of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’.
A music video also premiered on the same date. With its striking colors and fitting thematic nods, the video depicts the two artists performing while seated at an eccentrically laden dining table, reflecting the message of the song.
Music video: https://youtu.be/0NDKk-W-8vQ
Release information
LANA & LEX single ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’
Digital release July24, 2024
https://lnk.to/pDmLEF
LEX PROFILE
LEX is a hip-hop artist born in 2002 in Shonan, Kanagawa Prefecture. His natural mellow voice and raw, emotional lyrics contrast with his aggressive songs, earning him a strong fan base, especially among younger music fans. He began uploading songs to SoundCloud at age 14, and made his surprise debut in April 2019 at age 16 with his first album, ‘LEX DAY GAMES 4’. He released his second album ‘!!!’ in December 2019 and his third album ‘LiFE’ in August 2020. In 2021, he made guest appearances on tracks by BAD HOP and JP THE WAVY, and released the collaboration EP LEXBEX with London-based artist BEXEY, as well as the joint EP ‘COSMO WORLD’ with Only U & Yung sticky wom from Yokohama, further boosting his momentum. His August 2021 single ‘Perfume’ featured JP THE WAVY, and was followed a month later by his fourth album, ‘LOGIC’. Riding high on a wave of critical acclaim, that year he won the GQ Men Of The Year Award for Best Breakthrough Artist.
In March 2022, LEX released ’20 (Complete Mixtape)’, a compilation of his early SoundCloud recordings and unreleased songs. In April, he released his last single as a teenager, ‘Rich Woman, Poor Me’, and in January 2023 he released his fifth album, ‘King Of Everything’. In April 2024, he teamed up with his younger sister LANA to release the single ‘AKARUIHEYA’, and headlined the hip-hop festival POP YOURS.
2021 GQ Men Of The Year Best Breakthrough Artist
2022 Space Shower Music Awards Best Hip Hop Artist
2023 Forbes Japan 30 Under 30
LEX links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lex_zx_lex_0/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/lex_zx_lex_0/
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lex3_zzz_0/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChamZkcHgmXJCZ3dOu5UEJQ
LANA PROFILE
LANA was born in Shonan, Kanagawa Prefecture. In 2020, she began uploading songs to SoundCloud, and her fresh yet powerful vocal ability and lyrics about daily life as a teenager drew attention from music fans, sweeping the charts. This led to LANA being inundated with work offers from both Japan and abroad, and she started producing songs with trackmakers and rappers, appearing on numerous songs as a featured artist.
While her music is based on hip-hop and R&B, LANA is a borderless and genreless talent with a unique sense of melody and a husky voice that is hard to forget. She began releasing songs in earnest in 2022. Her smash hits to date include ‘FLAME’, a fresh track that penetrated the mainstream; ‘PULL UP’, which combined dance trends with iconic Japanese “gal” vibes; the megahit ‘TURN IT UP (feat. Candee & ZOT on the WAVE),’ which transcended the rap scene and dented the upper echelons of the J-POP charts; and ‘L7 Blues’, a song about her past suffering and current progress over an up-tempo beat based on baile funk.
Last summer, LANA released the EP ’19’, which included the new dancefloor banger ‘BASH BASH’, generating a ton of attention. And on her latest EP ‘19.5’, she presented a new style of youth anthems with elegant vocals juxtaposed with hard rhythms and strong street elements. Watch out for diva artist LANA as she reaches new heights.
LANA links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3pylanabby/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/3pylanabby
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC0sdPRaDiKtOJQXfsvbUbw/featured
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@3pylanabby
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lnanaoffcial/tracks
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lanamusic
#LANA #LEX #JPop #kcrush #JapanesePop #BreakfastAtTiffanys #newmusicfromLANAandLEX #kcrushnews #RnB #kcrushamericamagazine #ShonanKanagawaPrefecture #SiblingsLANAandLEXnemusic #LEXandLANACollaborate #kcrushannouncement #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #AKARUIHEYA
![Dreamcatcher [Luck Inside 7 Doors] 2024 World Tour Gears Up to Thrill Fans Across the USA 1](https://www.kcrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dreamcatcher-Luck-Inside-7-Doors-2024-World-Tour-Gears-Up-to-Thrill-Fans-Across-the-USA-1-724x1024.png)
▲ Dreamcatcher 2024 World Tour 【Luck Inside 7 Doors】 in USA official poster
South Korean sensation Dreamcatcher is set to captivate audiences across the United States with their upcoming Dreamcatcher 2024 World Tour 【Luck Inside 7 Doors】 in the USA. Organized by MyMusicTaste, this eagerly awaited tour will kick off on November 2, 2024, in a journey that promises to bring their electrifying performances and distinctive sound to fans throughout the country.
Known for their unique blend of rock-infused K-pop and powerful performances, Dreamcatcher has garnered a global following with hits such as ‘BOCA’, ‘Odd Eye’, and ‘Scream’. Their music not only showcases their exceptional vocal prowess, their dynamic choreography, and engaging stage presence making each live show an unforgettable experience for fans worldwide.
Dreamcatcher 2024 World Tour 【Luck Inside 7 Doors】 in the USA will span from November 2 to November 24, 2024, encompassing 10 cities. Dreamcatcher’s tour promises to showcase their latest hits alongside beloved fan favorites, creating a journey through their diverse musical repertoire.
Per DREAMCATCHER COMPANY, “Based on the reputation we have accumulated through passionate performances and communication with fans every year, we will establish ourselves as this year’s concert for K-pop fans.”
Tickets are open per each city’s ticket vendor, and information regarding the tour can be found on MyMusicTaste website(mmt.fans/b0CD) or Dreamcatcher’s official social media channel(@hf_dreamcatcher).
Dreamcatcher 2024 World Tour 【Luck Inside 7 Doors】 in the USA – Tour Dates:
2024/11/02 (Sat) – New York – Kings Theatre
2024/11/04 (Mon) – Washington D.C. – Warner Theatre
2024/11/06 (Wed) – Chicago – Chicago Theatre
2024/11/10 (Sun) – Denver – Fillmore Auditorium
2024/11/13 (Wed) – Seattle – McCaw Hall
2024/11/15 (Fri) – Los Angeles – Dolby Theatre
2024/11/17 (Sun) – Oakland – Paramount Theatre Oakland
2024/11/20 (Wed) – Houston – 713 Music Hall
2024/11/22 (Fri) – St Petersburg – Duke Energy Center for the Arts (Mahaffey Theater)
2024/11/24 (Sun) – Atlanta – Coca-Cola Roxy
About DREAMCATCHER COMPANY:
Established in 2008, DREAMCATCHER COMPANY is a South Korean record label and entertainment agency founded by the prominent production duo E-tribe. Since the debut of its first artist NASSUN, the company has grown in size over the years, producing artists and idol groups under its name. The company also launched subsidiary labels HF Music Company, Dreamcatcher Company, and D1CE Entertainment are garnering much attention and recognition from the public as the rising creators of future K-pop artists.
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste (MMT) is a pioneering platform dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of K-pop fans around the globe. As an all-rounder in the music industry, MMT empowers fans by transforming their voices into action. By leveraging fan-initiated campaigns, MMT brings top-tier K-pop artists to cities worldwide, bridging the gap between artists and their global audiences. MMT’s mission extends beyond concert planning; with the newly-launched MMT App, MMT aims to create immersive, fan-centric experiences, and exclusive content that resonate deeply with the K-pop community. Additionally, MMT also offers a wide range of K-pop albums and exclusive merchandise, providing fans with unique and memorable collectibles. Through innovative technology and a passion for music, MMT is committed to reshaping the landscape of fan engagement and setting new standards in the entertainment industry.
#DREAMCATCHER #US2024WorldTour #kcrush #DREAMCATCHERCompany #MyMusicTaste #MMT #kpop #koreanpop #SouthKoreanrecordlabel #kidol #koreanculture #kcrushamericamagazine #idoltour #kpopfashion #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #koreanmusicnews #kidolnews #kcrushannouncement #koreanmedia #kcrushnews #LuckInside7DoorsTour #DREAMCATCHERWorldTour2024 #krock #new #krockinfusedkpop #November2024kpoptour
For the World Premiere of their ensemble multi-genre western inspired film ‘Mash Ville’, at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival, Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds spoke with filmmaker Hwang Wook, co-writer and producer Lim Dong-min, and actors Jeon Shin-hwan and Kim Hee-sang.
They spoke about how the creative team took inspiration from international films of various genres and styles, Cuba, bourbon, and world music to create this unique story – and score – about living in the grey and vices.
For his unique directing and narrative style of this modern day Korean western, Hwang Wook won the Best Director award in the festival’s Compétition Cheval Noir/ Cheval Noir Competition.
Interpreting for the interview was conducted by Pyo Young-soo.
#KCrush #FantasiaFest #KoreanCinema #KoreanFilms #AsianCinema
Fourth of July this year brought in a new kind of bang when I attended the Seoul International Wines & Spirit Expo 2024 (SIWSE) hosted at the Coex Exhibition Centre in Gangnam, Seoul, organized by the Korea International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (KIECO). By the end of day three, I felt I had time traveled to tastes steeped in history and back again to the commanding allure that is modern-day Seoul. Unforgettable does not do the experience justice. Being a woman that is well into my ajumma (아줌마/married or middle-aged woman) phase at just a few years short of a half a century, I have fully embraced this part of my story. I’m at the precious age where I often reminisce about the good old days. I recall how interesting life was with good pals and good drinks. Still today, nothing beats a relaxed meal and a nice conversation with a welcomed friend. Wine is often a nice addition to dinner while spirits rarely miss a celebration. So when I traveled to Seoul for SIWSE 2024, I naturally acclimated into the culture of open camaraderie over drinks and became re-energized by the atmosphere. With well over three hundred brands represented from around the world, it was indeed a challenge to traverse the exhilarating maze of wine and spirits. SIWSE 2024 introduced me to several memorable brands that I can’t wait to incorporate into my future stories and share with my treasured friends.
The first day of the expo started off warm and welcoming. It was an excellent day to encounter some happy spirits! After enjoying a light breakfast, I grabbed a taxi with my friend and colleague, A3Day Podcast, and headed over to the Coex Exhibition Center in Gangnam. Not failing my high expectations, the exhibition grounds rose beautifully from the hustle and bustle of Seoul’s city traffic like a welcoming beacon. As I made my way towards the entry, I was greeted by the infamous “Gangnam Style” statue representing global sensation, Psy’s hit song of the same name. Even more than a decade later, both the song and the statue still draw interest and smiles. Of course, I tried to snap a shot here and there, but the crowds were too demanding so I clicked and kept it pushing. Along with several massive halls and spaces, such as a grand ballroom and multiple conference rooms across four floors, that make up the Coex Exhibition Centre, there are also numerous shopping and dining options to choose from. I certainly cannot forget to mention the illustrious Starfield Coex Mall. If you have ever done a Google search on “things to do in Seoul”, one of the most highly recommended stops is the Starfield Library in this mall. Pictures cannot capture the essence that embraces you as you walk into the library. Being an avid reader and lover of storytelling, my heart was enraptured. As I stood there and gaped in awe at the books upon books rising into the heavens, I felt refreshed with every level. I had barely made it to the expo hall and I was already in wonderland.
With a refreshed spirit and clean heart, I grabbed some Korean fried chicken from KFC to get the momentum started. Listen, I wanted to be ready for whatever the day brought, and there is nothing better than Korean fried chicken to prepare the palette (and tummy) for a long day of imbibing! It was the perfect precursor to start my tour of sul (술).
Due to the sheer number of brands present, it was a good chance that we might not get to visit every booth. So my colleague and I decided to divide and conquer. She would explore wine while I would chase spirits. I chose to focus on spirits unique to Korea and other nearby regions. Of course, Korea’s native alcohols, soju and makgeolli, were impressively represented. So, I plotted my chart towards those brands. In case you’re wondering, beer was also available. However, it is not considered a spirit since it is fermented rather than distilled. Although it has grown tremendously in popularity throughout South Korea, it is also not native to the region. So, I decided to exclude it for this occasion. And yes, I know that makgeolli is a wine made by fermenting rice, nuruk, and water. But because my focus is on Korean and Asian brands, I was happy to ignore that small distinction. As I strolled through the exposition with my eyes wide open and my game plan ready, I happily sampled familiar and not so familiar brands. You know, for research purposes, and all. While I explored a plethora of Korean and Asian spirits, there were a few hidden gems that became instant favorites. I just couldn’t walk away without them. Here is a list of my favorites (in order of encounter).
Jegalryang Korea
This is a Chinese spirit that is imported to South Korea by Jegal Ryang Korea Co, Ltd. When paired with jasmine tea, lime and ice, the subtle pineapple flavor is smooth and nice to sip. The Jegal Ryang brand was created by a famous Chinese Prime Minister (imperial court minister) named Zhuge Liang, of the Three Kingdoms period. The brand has survived over the centuries and is still being produced by his heirs. I enjoyed learning about its rich history as I savored the understated melodies. This is an excellent option for someone who enjoys a sophisticated flavor after a fresh or light meal as it won’t cause a hangover.
C Makgeolli
C Makgeolli honors its roots by brewing their makgeolli according to traditional techniques and culture while infusing natural, premium flavors that pair well with contemporary dishes and snacks. Each generation can find an appealing flavor through their classic, acidic yet silky blend, or one of the more complex but subtle flavors that highlight favorite meals of today’s young adults like cheese pizza.
I had the immense pleasure of sampling their summer seasonal blend [pictured above] with a mild tomato and basil infusion. I was instantly enamored and purchased a bottle on the spot. Later, I enjoyed that bottle after a light bowl of bibimyun from 7-11 and all became right with the world. (Yes, I drank the whole bottle. Don’t judge me!)
IG: cmakgeolli
Kori Korean Herbal Gin
This one is truly a winner. Although Josh, the young gentleman at the booth, recommended that I sample it with the tea, I opted not to for the first try. Reason being is that when I was younger, I used to prefer gin over other liquors. I was curious how this would compare. Kori is very earthy and at 47% proof you not only taste every bit of the earthiness, you feel it too. Those flavors seemed to call to the very nature of me and I cannot say how happy I am that I tried it alone first. I don’t think I would have recognized the depth of its flavors if I hadn’t. This is another that I purchased without hesitation. Of course, the proof is quite strong, so I will definitely be adding my preferred tea to it once I have another sip at home, but it’s earned a space at the top of my bar. I cannot wait to share the story of its discovery in the future with friends over conversation.
Website: HouseofHeritage.kr
Myeongin Andong Soju
This soju is FIRE! No, seriously. It tasted like fire going down. Honestly, it’s way out of my league, but it reminded me of my eldest brother. Both the bottling and the liquor. The moment I saw that face on the bottle, I knew I was going to get it. While I personally was drawn to the bottle’s uniqueness, I was also very correct in its selection as a gift for my big bro. He loves the taste of this soju, calling it his “day ender.” Just one shot slams the door on all the woes of his work day and brings him home to happiness.
Website: www.Andongsoju.com
Kkumbrewery
This makgeolli was my absolute favorite. Ladies, if you like makgeolli and are either in, or entering into your soft girl era, this brand perfectly punctuates that feeling. From the simple but elegant bottling to the sweet, slightly acid hints of peaches, I could not get enough of this brand.
It was created by a mother who’s love you can feel in every drop. They don’t ship internationally yet so when the last of it was gone, I was a little sad. Still, I felt so blessed to have experienced this unique blend.
IG: Kkumbrewery
Of course, if there are drinks there has to be snacks, too. From meats to breads and beyond, there were so many options to explore that my head was constantly turning. Here are a couple of the snacks that made a big impression on me.
Piora Coffee and Cake
If there is one thing you will find in South Korea, it is unique and amazing cafes. Piora offered a lovely bread that I had right after sampling Kkumbrewery. It was so good . The owner was so very charming as she shared that her cafe is located about an hour or so outside of Seoul. If you are looking to explore South Korea off the beaten path, I hope you encounter Piora Coffee and Cake and have the chance to taste her sweet creations.
IG: CafePiora
Vlees Premium African Handmade Charcuterie
Salty snacks and good spirits are a winning match. Vlees African Jerky, or biltong, is so damn good! It knocks every other jerky I have had right out of the park. Not only is the meat softer and easier to chew, the flavor is so deep and vibrant. Of the three flavors offered, I fell in love with the Chili Bite flavor. I purchased a small pack thinking that I would keep it for later. Before I made it to the next booth, I was already digging into the bag. I finished it in no time flat. All three flavors were really good, but Chili Bite and Biltong Bite were my favorites.
Biltong is a traditional snack from South Africa that is being introduced globally through Vlees. I hope that I can find this snack in H-Mart later because I can surely see this becoming a favorite snack to grab with my nightcap or when catching a game on TV.
IG: Vlees_Biltong
There was so much to see and experience at the Seoul International Wines & Spirit Expo 2024. And South Korea did not disappoint with the outstanding offerings of soju and makgeolli this year. I am both honored and inspired to have been a part of such an amazing event. Excellent work to all of the brand participants and event organizers for allowing us to partake in such a wondrous affair. Be sure to find and follow the brands mentioned. All were truly wonderful.
Have you heard of any of these brands? Would you try one of the soju or makgeollis I found at the expo?
CoolHappyTash
#SeoulInternationalWinesandSpiritExpo2024 #kcrush #CoexExhibitionCentre #soju #makgeollis #Seoul #GangnamSeoul #kcrushexclusive #kcrushamericamagazine #JegalryangKorea #Starfield Library #tour #thingstodoinSeoul #whattodoinSeoul #SouthKorea #KFCKoreanFriedChicken #Vlees #snacks #Chinesespirits #JegalRyangKoreaCoLtd #PioraCoffeeandCake #Cmakgeolli #KoriKoreanHerbalGin #Kkumbrewery #Korean #KoreanCulture #MyeonginAndongSoju #Koreandrinks #Koreanwineandspirits #whattodrinkwhileinKorea #travel #traveltoKorea #funplacesinKorea #kspirits #kbeer #kwine #kexpo #koreanexpo #Koreanexhibition2024 #Sul #KoreaInternationalExhibitionCoLtd #KIECO #ajumma #koreansightseeing
For the 2024 Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds spoke to writer, director, composer and actress Koo Hye-sun about her short film ‘STUDIO KOOHYESUN’ in which Koo takes a look back at what she wishes she could’ve done differently and audiences understood about her 2012 dramatic feature ‘The Peach Tree’.
‘STUDIO KOOHYESUN’ screened in the Korean Short Film Program of #SSFF2023.
Interpreting for the interview was conducted by Jang Taek-soo.
#KooHyeSun #KCrush #KoreanCinema #KoreanFilm #AsianCinema
#KooHyeSun #KCrush #KoreanCinema #KoreanFilm #AsianCinema
Asian-American artist, KATIE, releases her new all-English single, “Unbreak”, via Sony Music Entertainment Korea. Don’t call her just a K-pop star because the pop sensation is primed for global takeover with new music that makes her true to herself. Poised for global stardom at a young age after winning first place on “K-Pop Star,” the hit TV program in South Korea, the singer-songwriter is ready for her comeback. KATIE’s unique sound and emotional vocals features an intimate performance and a luxurious soundscape in the future R&B genre.
The song conveys the message of healing someone’s previous heartbreak with your own love. As the dictionary meaning of the word ‘unbreak’ suggests, the overall musical message of ‘Unbreak’ is ‘strength’. Lyrics like “Can I just unbreak your heart. I’ll pick up the pieces,” gives listeners a feeling of longing for a broken-up lover in a realistic and mature way. Despite being filled with inner anxiety and wounds, she already knows how to overcome them. The song itself showcases a fast tempo to express the concept using KATIE’s unique sense of rhythm. Her message, urging us to look at our true selves with confidence and courage, allows listeners to emphasize their personal stories through the power of music.
KATIE’s debut single “Remember” was a bonafide hit upon release. The song was so popular that KATIE re-released it featuring American hip-hop artist Ty Dolla $ign. Her follow-up hit single, “Our Time” was recognized by Apple Music as 100 Best Song of 2020. The South Korean-American songstress grew up in New Jersey, attended Berklee College of Music, and has been interviewed by mainstream media such as The Hollywood Reporter, GENIUS, Forbes, NYLON, Billboard, Hypebae, and more.
Press Photo (Credit: Sony Music Entertainment Korea)
ABOUT KATIE
Born in Korea and raised in the United States, KATIE is a rising international R&B and pop sensation. KATIE made her debut in 2018 with her hit single “Remember,” a part of her debut LOG EP. KATIE initially rose to fame after winning the fourth season of the popular Korean TV show “K-Pop Star” (the Korean American Idol), later signing with YG Entertainment, home to global K-pop stars such as BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, and CL. In 2018, she signed with AXIS, a newly formed creative collective platform from former YG creative director SJ “SINXITY”. KATIE appeared on Yamaha “WAY UP House”, which is the documentary series following the journey of 6 emerging artists from across the world, coming together for an exclusive songwriting experience in New York. With a strong global fan base and early nods from the likes of Billboard, Pitchfork and Forbes, KATIE’s received overwhelming support as she carved out her discography. Smoky tones, delicate deliveries and a powerful bravado is reflective of her jazz vocal training at Berklee and her admiration for R&B icons like India.Arie, Lalah Hathaway and Anthony Hamilton.
#KATIE #AsianAmerican #KPopStar #YGEntertainment #YamahaWayUpHouse #documentaryseries #kpop #kcrushnews #SonyMusicEntertainmentKorea #RememberbyKATIE #LOGEP #RnB #kcrush #kcrushamericamagazine #popmusic #AXIS #SJ #SINXITY #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #news #breakingnews #Unbreak
▲ 2024 EVERGLOW US & LATAM TOUR <PULSE & HEART> official poster
K-pop sensation EVERGLOW is set to ignite stages across America and Latin America with their 2024 US & LATAM Tour <PULSE & HEART>. Organized by MyMusicTaste and managed by YUE HUA Entertainment Korea, this tour promises an electrifying experience for fans, featuring their latest hits and fan favorites, including the highly anticipated track ‘ZOMBIE’.
Following their recent announcement, EVERGLOW has captured global attention with their 5th single album’s title song ‘ZOMBIE’, a song expected to showcase their signature charisma and dynamic musical style. Fans can look forward to experiencing this new release live alongside other chart-topping hits like ‘Adios’ and ‘DUN DUN’.
“We are thrilled to bring EVERGLOW closer to their fans in the US and Latin America through this exhilarating tour,” expressed YUE HUA Entertainment Korea. “EVERGLOW’s talent and energy on stage are unmatched, and we’re excited to showcase their performances.”
MyMusicTaste, renowned for creating unforgettable live events, has collaborated closely with EVERGLOW to ensure every concert is a standout experience. “This tour is a celebration of EVERGLOW’s global appeal and the passion of their fans,” remarked a representative from MyMusicTaste. “We’re committed to delivering a memorable concert series that fans will cherish.”
This year’s tour promises an unforgettable night of pulsating beats and heartfelt performances, complete with exclusive merchandise and unique opportunities to interact with EVERGLOW.
To give fans a sneak peek into the excitement, a preview video accompanies this announcement, offering a glimpse into the electrifying atmosphere awaiting concert-goers.
[SPOT VIDEO: 2024 EVERGLOW US & LATAM TOUR [PULSE & HEART] SPOT VIDEO]
Tickets for the 2024 EVERGLOW US & LATAM Tour <PULSE & HEART> are available now. Secure your spot and join EVERGLOW on this musical journey based on the following tour schedule;
Thursday, September 12, 2024 – Santiago – Teatro Caupolicán
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 – Los Angeles – The Orpheum Theatre
Friday, September 20, 2024 – San Francisco – The Warfield
Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Tacoma – Pantages Theater
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 – Denver – Fillmore Auditorium
Friday, September 27, 2024 – Chicago – The Vic Theatre
Sunday, September 29, 2024 – New York – The Town Hall
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 – St. Petersburg – Mahaffey Theater
Friday, October 4, 2024 – Dallas – House of Blues
Sunday, October 6, 2024 – Phoenix – The Van Buren
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 – Mexico City – Frontón México
Sunday, October 13, 2024 – São Paulo – Terra SP
For more information on tickets:
- Visit MyMusicTaste website: mmt.fans/b0ZE
- Follow EVERGLOW’s official social media channel(X): @EVERGLOW_STAFF
About YUE HUA Entertainment:
YUE HUA Entertainment Korea is a global total entertainment group paving new pathways as a leader in the global cultural content industry through investments in new businesses in music, film, TV series and shows with unique methods or by discovery and production of differentiated content suitable for diverse markets.
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste (MMT) is a company planning fan data-based K-POP concerts(tours) based on the corporate slogan ‘STOP WISHING, START MAKING’. Based on the performance know-how accumulated over a certain period, from hosting various global tours and producing MDs that captivate fans, they recently launched an app(MMT) and will establish it as an ‘Essential Service to share every moment of the concert together’ in the future.
Film Critic and Journalist spoke with writer and director Yoo Ji-min about her narrative short film ‘Jung Ok’, which screened at the 2024 Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, Japan. In their interview, Carolyn and Yoo Ji-min spoke about how the film depicts how the journey from experiencing their period for the first time to entering into menopause changes how young girls and women see themselves and how the world sees them.
‘JungOk’ screened in the Women in Cinema Project program at #SSFF2024, and stars LEE Hyun, KIM Jingoo, KIM Bomin.
Interpreting for the interview was conducted by Jang Taek-soo.
#KCrush #KoreanCinema #KoreanFilm #AsianCinema
Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds spoke to filmmaker Lee Won-sik about his documentary ‘A Song of Korean Factory Girls’ about the young Korean girls and women who were taken to work in the Osaka cotton mills, during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The film screened in the Korean Cinema program of the 2024 Jeonju International Film Festival, South Korea.
#KCrush #JEONJUIFF25 #전주국제영화제 #제25회전주국제영화제 #JEONJUIFF2024 #KoreanCinema
The music video for ‘Hush-Hush’, a collaboration between the seven-member Japanese group BE:FIRST and the eight-member South Korean group ATEEZ, has been released on BE:FIRST’s official YouTube channel.
BE:FIRST X ATEEZ / Hush-Hush -Music Video-
‘Hush-Hush’
The collaboration between BE:FIRST and ATEEZ is an electrifying fusion that showcases each group’s unique abilities. The track pulsates with driving synth arpeggios and hard-hitting drums, while the members of each group take turns to show off their skills in twist after thrilling twist. Knowing when to go big but also when to hold back, this collaboration between two powerhouses of Asian pop music is a breathless three-minute rollercoaster ride.
The music video takes viewers on a journey through a fantastical cityscape, towering structures warping under the influence of distorted time and space. A dramatic solar eclipse casts a shadow over the landscape, adding to the captivating atmosphere. Against this breathtaking backdrop, BE:FIRST and ATEEZ shine like the sun and moon, weaving a captivating narrative. Be sure to stay tuned for the dramatic climax as light breaks through the darkness.
Marking a first for BE:FIRST, ‘Hush-Hush’ utilizes stunning CG visuals that complement the intricate choreography designed by renowned dancer RIEHATA. Defying the limitations of space and time, the dance performance showcases the impressive talent and captivating artistry of all 15 members.
To celebrate the release of ‘Hush-Hush’, special campaigns are running on various music download and streaming platforms. In addition to the single, a remix by m-flo’s ☆Taku Takahashi and an instrumental version of ‘Hush-Hush’ dropped on Friday, July 5 at 13:00 JST. Don’t miss these exciting additions!
BE:FIRST X ATEEZ ‘Hush-Hush’
Special Website:
https://befirst-sp.com/Hush-Hush/
Download/Streaming:
https://BEFIRST.lnk.to/Hush-Hush
Release on Friday, July 5, 2024 at 13:00 JST
BE:FIRST X ATEEZ ‘Hush-Hush -☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo) remix-‘
BE:FIRST X ATEEZ ‘Hush-Hush -Instrumental-‘
* Access began on available platforms, Friday, July 5 at 13:00 JST
The newly announced BE:FIRST X ATEEZ track ‘Hush-Hush’ will also feature on ‘2:BE’, the first original BE:FIRST album in two years, set for release on Wednesday, August 28.
BE:FIRST 2nd album ‘2:BE’
Witness the epic fusion of BE:FIRST and ATEEZ!
==================
BE:FIRST X ATEEZ ‘Hush-Hush’
Released July 1, 2024
Label: B-ME
Download/Streaming:
https://BEFIRST.lnk.to/Hush-Hush
Music Video:
BE:FIRST X ATEEZ / Hush-Hush -Music Video-
Official Audio:
BE:FIRST X ATEEZ / Hush-Hush -Official Audio-
==================
BE:FIRST 2nd album ‘2:BE’
Release August 28, 2024
Label: B-ME
▼ Special website
▼ Purchase CD
*International shipping available
==================
BE:FIRST Playlists:
Playlist of BE:FIRST Music Videos
==================
BE:FIRST profile
BE:FIRST is a seven-member dance and vocal group, signed to a renowned Japanese rapper, SKY-HI’s management agency and label BMSG. Each member possesses unique qualities for singing, dancing, and rapping, along with their musical agility reflected in their songwriting and choreography. Each owns an attractive individuality that marks them as unique. Under the name BE:FIRST, this seven-piece group has swept the No.1 spots on various charts in Japan since before their debut. Now they are taking the bold first steps from Tokyo to the world.
Follow BE:FIRST:
Official website | X (Twitter) | Global X (Twitter) | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube
Follow BMSG:
Official website | X (Twitter) | Global X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube
ATEEZ profile
ATEEZ, short for ‘A TEEnager Z’, is an eight-member South Korean group that has taken the world by storm immediately after their debut in October 2018. Known for standout performances, the octet have turned storytelling into a full musical experience. The eight members of ATEEZ are HONGJOONG, SEONGHWA, YUNHO, YEOSANG, SAN, MINGI, WOOYOUNG, and JONGHO. Their group name stood for ‘everything teenagers need from A to Z’, and has since evolved alongside their fans (named ATINY) to become ‘everything you need from A to Z’. Establishing themselves as top artists early on in their career with a sold out global tour only four months after their debut, they continue to break their own records. In 2024, they dominated on the global stage, taking over festivals around the world with performances at Coachella (US) and Summer Sonic (JPN), even set to headline at Mawazine (MAR). With a unique narrative that starts from the very first release in the ‘TREASURE’ album series and continues through the ‘FEVER’ and ‘THE WORLD’ masterpieces, taking a turn into a new universe with the start of the ‘GOLDEN HOUR’ series, the group combines bestseller narratives with personalized music that speaks to their generation. The pirates of the high K-pop seas ATEEZ have made their mark as a million seller group, topping the Billboard 200 with multiple releases.
Follow ATEEZ:
Official website | X (Twitter) | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook
Follow KQ Entertainment:
Official website | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Facebook
#BEFIRST #ATEEZ #Collaboration #newmusic #kcrushnews #KQEntertainment #RIEHAHA #jpop #kpop #HushHushnewsong #kcrushamericamagazine #Japanesegroup #Koreangroup #musiccollaboration #globalasiancollaboration #newreleaseJuly #Asiancollaborationglobal#ATEEZcollaborationwithBEFIRST #BMSG #SKYHI #2BEalbum #HushHushnewtrack
LISTEN HERE
MUSIC VIDEO HERE
Music collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE has released their latest single “Gasoline” with South Korean rock singer/songwriter LØREN. Out now via 88rising and RCA Records, the single is accompanied by a high-octane music video. Listen to “Gasoline” HERE.
“Gasoline” is an electrifying pop-punk re-emergence for both LØREN and the genre-bending collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE. The all-English single touches on LØREN’s inner turmoil and angst as he struggles against both his personal demons and societal pressures. Meanwhile, the music video, directed by James Mao, perfectly captures the spirit of teenage angst and rebellion. Watch the “Gasoline” music video HERE.
(photo credit James Baxter/@jamesbaxter – download hi-res HERE)
The new track follows the releases of 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE’s latest singles “Raw I Know I Got It“ with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, “fIT chECK fREEsTYle“ with pop experimentalist Jean Dawson, “WhAT yoU WaNT“ with genre-bending artist Deb Never and “PUMP IT UP ε=┌(^_^)┘,” featuring Indonesian rap powerhouse, singer and producer Rich Brian and breakout rapper TiaCorine.
Earlier this year, 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE released their debut compilation project, hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·˚:, which features genre-spanning collaborations from the likes of Rich Brian, Warren Hue, Ghostface Killah, Busta Rhymes, Smino, Cuco, Amaarae, Offset, BADBADNOTGOOD, Westside Gunn, Dumbfoundead and more. The album boasts A-list features across 24 songs, pulling back the curtain on 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE’S anachronistic lore while capturing the sights, sounds and vibrancy of Northern California culture and beyond, through the lens of 88rising honcho Sean Miyashiro’s childhood nostalgia and wonder. Listen to the full project HERE.
Stay tuned for more from 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE.
About 88rising
88rising is a pioneering global music and media company representing the best of Asian talent and culture. Since its inception, 88rising has paved the way for many music industry firsts for its artists. Under the leadership of founder & CEO, Sean Miyashiro, the company has also grown its brand to include a global festival, Head In The Clouds Music & Artist Festival, and special partnerships with the likes of Coachella, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and many more. With over 200 million followers across global social media platforms and over 50 billion streams and views, 88rising’s global influence is undeniable.
About LØREN
LØREN’s self-written and self-produced first three singles including “All My Friends Are Turning Blue” have connected with listeners around the globe with their eccentric rock sounds, collectively garnering over 15M YouTube views.
He co-signed with 88rising to release his debut EP, Put Up a Fight, with the lead single, “Folks,” followed by “Panic.” That same month, he was named one of Paste Magazine‘s ‘The 20 Best Acts We Saw at SXSW 2023‘ and just a few weeks later he performed in the Sahara Tent at Coachella. Billboard Magazine has since spotlighted him in the ‘Sound’ section of the magazine and he has performed at multiple festival slots including Head in the Clouds and Summer Sonic.
Before his solo projects, LØREN participated as a lyricist for BLACKPINK‘s “THE ALBUM” including “Pretty Savage,” “You Never Know” and “Lovesick Girls“— the latter for which he appeared in the music video as the male lead. LØREN also received production credit for G-Dragon‘s single “Bullshit” off the Kwon Ji Yong album under his old moniker, Cawlr.
LØREN became Global Ambassador for Saint Laurent, and starred as the model for the fashion house’s eyewear campaign. Heavily influenced by his music, his fashion is also garnering worldwide recognition, and has landed him in covers for Dazed Korea, Vogue Hong Kong, Female Singapore and Numero Netherlands. LØREN has already started to break barriers as a true artist, and is bringing back the nostalgia of rock music to this generation.
CONNECT WITH LØREN
Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Website
#88Rising #LOREN #AllMyFriendsAreTurningBlue #Coachella #kcrushnews #Gasoline #newmusic #pop #rock #newtrack #korean #LORENnewsong #kcrushbreakingnews #kcrushamericamagazine #Billboard #googleasiannews #googlekcrush #youtubekcrush
‘Connection’ is a 2024 K-drama revolving around the grueling fight against drug traffickers embedded deep into crucial departments that govern society. Jang Jae Kyeong, a diligent drug trafficking agent is drugged into an addict even as his former best friend, Park Joon Seo, dies a mysterious and gruesome death. An investigation of the friend’s death while working to dismantle the reigning traffic gangs, layers of revelations connected to the very powerful in the society resurface with each episode making everyone a suspect. Jae Kyeong joins hands with Oh Yoon Jin, also a former friend of Joon Seo, especially since both were named the beneficiaries of the deceased.
Jang Jae Kyeong (Ji Sung)
Jang Jae Kyeong is a reputable detective and the team leader of the Narcotics Team at Anhyeon Police Station. Despite his strong principles and convictions, Jae Kyeong’s life takes a toll after he is abducted and turned into a drug addict. In a bid to find his abductors and the cause of his former best friend’s cause of death, Jae Kyeong strives to hide his addiction from the police force. His latest quest uncovers over-decade-long deeply buried secrets that threaten his existence.
Oh Yoon Jin (Jeon Mi Do)
Oh Yoon Jin is a skilled social affairs reporter for the Anhyeon Economic Daily. She is determined to bring down corrupt individuals by publishing their dirty secrets for the world to see. Her determination is also rooted in the fact that she plans to recover the custody of her young daughter currently living with her egocentric father abroad. Yoon Jin joins hands with Jang Jae Kyeong to uncover the mystery behind their late friend’s death. The new venture turns chaotic as threats become Yoon Jin’s newest reality.
Park Joon Seo (Yoon Na Moo)
Park Joon Seo is the president of Pil O Real Estate. During their high school days, Joon Seo dated Oh Yoon Jin for a while and was also Jang Jae Kyeong’s best friend. However, the crew disbanded due to unavoidable circumstances which are now being uncovered after his death. In a bid to make things right, Joon Seo ends up facing life-threatening ordeals.
Park Tae Jin (Kwon Yool)
Park Tae Jin is a powerful prosecutor at Ahn Hyun District Office with connections with the powerful and wealthy in government and society. Tae Jin also attended the same high school as Oh Yoon Jin, Jang Jae Kyeong, and Park Joon Seo. despising his low-class background, Tae Jin’s greed for wealth and power leads him into dark paths whose negative impacts he realizes when it’s too late. With his career and family at stake, Tae Jin finds himself deeper in trouble forcing him to take life-threatening measures
Won Jong Soo (Kim Kyung Nam)
Won Jong Soo is a proud second-generation chaebol. He is the vice president and heir of Keumhyeong Group. He also attended the same high school as Park Tae Jin, Oh Yoon Jin, Jang Jae Kyeong, and Park Joon Seo. The lack of a father’s love and approval turns him into a gullible and ruthless being. In a bid to feel wanted and accomplished, Jong Soo does all he can to showcase his ability to take over the business. The greed for power and approval driven by pride and a mix of bad company and rotten advice traps Won Jong Soo into a fiery pit of misery.
My Thoughts
This ‘Connection’ 2024 K-drama synopsis highlights the plight of the powerless and the ruthlessness of a corrupt societal system. Despite cracks in the justice system that give the privileged an upper hand, the fight for justice displayed is a ray of hope ensuring that every action attracts consequences of the same measure. The unraveling web of lies with each episode keeps viewers glued to the screens hoping for a better ending for the cast determined to beat evil.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Connection #Connectionkdrama #kdramamindmap #kcrushmindmapthis #mindmap #Connection2024 #kcrush #kdramanews #JiSung #KimKyungNam #KwonYool #YoonNaMoo #JeonMiDo #JiSung #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #magzine #korea #koreanactress #koreanactor #kcrushamericamagazine #kdramaOST #kfashion #kmedia #kmusic #hallyu #topkdrama